Cemeteries
CEMETERY DATABASE PROJECT
Former McLean County
Clerk and MCGS member Sandra Parker is compiling a comprehensive
database of all McLean County cemeteries, past and present. She is
developing a list of current cemetery contact persons as part of
this database.
Sandra needs help
with the following information:
*Current cemetery trustees or officers for any cemetery in the
county
*Date a cemetery was established,
and/or the earliest burial (Sometimes the date of establishment
is on the gateway to the cemetery.)
*Cemetery status (Active,
Abandoned, Despoiled)
Sandra has the
trustees for Randolph Township, Evergreen, Pleasant Hills, Parklawn,
and Lantz. Beck Memorial Home has provided their contact list for
who has plot maps, however it would be desirable to know who has
oversight for the cemetery and how to contact them as well.
To help with this project, please email Sandra
at:
skparker@aol.com
Use “CEMETERY
INFORMATION” in the subject line.
____________
Governor Quinn Signs Cemetery Oversight Act
After Burr Oak Tragedy, New Consumer Law Sets Tougher Rules
CHICAGO - January 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today
signed into law the Cemetery Oversight Act, which implements many of
the reforms and recommendations of the Cemetery Oversight Task
Force, which was created by the Governor last summer in response
to the tragedy at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.
The legislation creates a unified regulatory structure
for the funeral and cemetery industries and provides rigorous
oversight and regulation of Illinois' cemeteries.
"We can never have another tragedy like the one at Burr
Oak Cemetery. I want to thank the General Assembly for taking
action to protect the families of Illinois and preserve the dignity
of their loved ones," said Governor Quinn. "With this new law,
bereaved families will have a place to turn if they are not
satisfied with the services provided by cemeteries, funeral
directors and embalmers."
Under the new law, all regulatory actions affecting
after-death services will be overseen by the Illinois Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which already
regulates funeral directors and embalmers. IDFPR currently
licenses more than one million professionals in nearly 100
industries and oversees financial institutions with more than $4
trillion in assets. House Bill 1188 was sponsored by Sen.
Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Representative Monique Davis
(D-Chicago).
"Our loved ones must be treated with the same dignity
and respect in death as in life. As a member of the Governor's
task force, we put together this comprehensive legislative reform
that is consolidating all regulatory responsibilities into one
agency, while strengthening consumer protection laws. This is
about protecting the memories of those closest to us," said
Representative Davis.
The law also establishes a "Consumer Bill of Rights,"
so that grieving families understand what options are available to
them, exactly where their loved one will be buried, and what each of
the services they select will cost. The law will also prohibit
cemeteries from requiring that consumers pay in cash.
"We cannot legislate morality," said Senator Trotter.
"But as lawmakers we can set guidelines for those who do business in
Illinois to ensure they do so with uniformity and with protections
for the consumer. This legislation is a pro-active initiative
to bring peace-of-mind to the families that endured the horrendous
affair at Burr Oak Cemetery."
Managers of private, non-religious cemeteries will also
now be required to obtain a license through the state. To
obtain a license, applicants must pass an exam, provide evidence of
character, and comply with continuing education requirements.
Other cemetery workers must also complete a "Worker's Statement,"
which would be filed with IDFPR, detailing his or her work history
and other evidence of character.
"This Act will make Illinois one of the leading
pro-consumer states with respect to cemetery oversight," said Joshua
Slocum, Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance.
____________
There is always another cemetery to transcribe!
MCGS has published the results of several cemetery transcriptions.
Please view our
Publications list.
MCGS volunteers have completed their walk of the
Hudson Cemetery and a book has been
published! Contact
Karen
Heinrich for more information.
Entrance to Evergreen Cemetery 1916
